David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am opposed to this amendment. Before I am challenged, I come from generations of people from the heart of the bog. I used to spend my summer holidays on the bog and I loved it. I particularly enjoyed seeing the bog cotton and the little squishy watering holes in the bog. I can see the Minister of State smiling at my recollection and in recognition of the truth of what I am saying. To me, the bogs are an essential part of Ireland. We have these humorous phrases such as "bogman" and "bog trotters". I am proud to be a bogman and a bog trotter. This sounds a bit like the Trump effect in practice. The hairs on the back of my neck rise when I hear references to golf courses. Surely, we have enough of those already. If we do not stop building them, the whole island will be a golf course. They are everywhere. My colleague referred to the lack of preparatory scientific analysis. That is a fundamental point. I think it was Senator Higgins or another Senator who said it.